The towering edifice with the inscription “Dr. Peter Odili Cancer Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Centre,” at No. 120 Ikwerre Road, Rumuokwuta, in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State, now looks like a graveyard, silent and completely deserted.
The centre built by the immediate-past governor of the state now Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, at the cost of N26billion was first unveiled by the then minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, on June 8, 2021.
The Centre was constructed by Julius Berger PLC, as a specialized hospital in Port Harcourt, to cater for the treatment of all levels of cancer to preserve lives.
With constant oil pollution in the Niger Delta and the menace of soot, cases of cancer in the region and Rivers State, have been on the rise. Thus, when the Wike administration announced the plan for a state of the art cancer center in the state, many were happy that patients could begin to access quality care right in their home state.
The center conceived to reduce the cost and danger of traveling far and beyond by Rivers State citizens to access treatment for cancer and cancer related ailments, was finally commissioned on Monday, November 14, 2022 by the Emir of Kano, HRH, Alhaji Ado Bayero, to commence medical operation with joy and fanfare.
However, as it stands now, the lofty dream behind the establishment of such a gigantic facility seems to have been eroded.
National Point’s visit to the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer Centre on Thursday, June 20, 2024, saw a completely deserted silent area.
Peeping through the locked see-through corrugated gate, this reporter saw an imposing structure on a considerable expanse of land, an overgrown lush green vegetation and well-laid out lawns.
No activities linked to medical activity was going on there, hence no medical doctors, nurses, administrative staff, and no patients were seen going in and out of the hospital.
The facility is there just lying waste, only existing in structure. Knocking at the gate, a private security guard on red and black attire came out of the security cubicle and inquired, “Yes, how may I help you?” to which National Point responded, “I want to see the doctor.”
The security guard, while responding, confirmed that the Cancer Centre is not functioning. He explained that the centre is closed for now, and that there is no doctor and no nurse, adding that the centre functioned briefly after it was commissioned and has remained closed till now.
Asked if he knew the reason for the closure, he explained: “How can I know when I am not a medical doctor in government hospital? I am a mere private security guard.”
He further informed that many people have been coming with the intention of accessing medical services there but were disappointed. From the look of things, he did not envisage the centre reopening soon.
A medical doctor who works in a private clinic in Port Harcourt, Dr Chris Udoh described the non-functionality of such a big lifesaving project as too sad and unfortunate, regretting that it is another colossal waste of scarce resources at this period of economic hardship.
He called on the Rivers State government to see the urgent need to reopen the centre and save the lives of many cancer patients.
A female medical doctor who refused to disclose her name lamented the situation cancer patients pass through in Port Harcourt. She recalled that the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer Centre was commissioned with a big bang and celebration.
“The inauguration of the hospital was a monumental achievement and seen as a big relief,” she recalled, pointing out that its sudden closure is a sad commentary.
She observed that the closure could be because it has not been fully equipped with essential facilities like Radiotherapy and Serotherapy, expressing confidence that it would be reopened for business, as, “Government may be taking its time.”
A lot of persons interviewed on the issue condemned the non-operation of the hospital, describing it as “another negligence and nonchalant attitude of the government.”
Michael Isioma opined that government always takes pleasure in gambling with people’s lives, wondering why an important project, established with public fund should be abruptly closed. He urged the government to consider its urgent reopening.
Miss Comfort Amadi-Nna lamented that nothing good and beneficial to the poor masses ever works so perfectly in the country, wondering why such a laudable venture completed, commissioned and which even started operation should stop within a short space of time.
“I pray the government should reopen it urgently to enable people in dire need to access medical facilities there,” she said.
According to a source, Radiotherapy is a good alternative to the treatment of cancer. The source further explained that challenges in running a comprehensive cancer centre, and infrastructural challenges leading to delay of curative radiotherapy among others, could be the cause of the unexpected closure of the newly completed and commissioned Dr. Peter Odili Cancer Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Treatment Centre in Port Harcourt.
The source also noted that Nigeria has only eight certified Radiotherapy centres, and two nuclear modern centres, stressing that both of them are not working.
Quoting Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, the source added that “out of the eight certified Radiotherapy centres in Nigeria, only four cancer treatment centres are functional.
The Rivers State commissioner for Health, Dr. (Mrs) Chidimma Adaeze Oreh could not be reached for comment as at the time National Point called at her office. She was said to have gone out on official engagement.
Recently, a staff of National Point Blessing Horsfall fell victim to the menace of cancer while struggling to access medical treatment in Enugu.
She was said to have suddenly developed cancer ailment and went to Dr. Peter Odili Cancer Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, with the hope of accessing medical facility. On getting to the centre at Ikwerre Road, Rumuokwuta, Blessing was confronted with a locked gate and a premises bereft of medical activities. On inquiry, she was told that the centre had ceased operation. She was surprised, sad and completely disappointed over the unexpected information.
Deeply troubled, and not resting on her oars, she sourced for funds and immediately left for Enugu Cancer Cardiovascular Diagnostics and Treatment Centre. There, she went through hectic prolonged processes in the midst of many other patients who came from faraway.
Blessing spent weeks in Enugu for Radiotherapy and Serotherapy. Amidst the delay in not being attended to on time coupled with the pains of her worsened condition, she died.
If the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer Centre in Port Harcourt was functional with the expected state of the art facilities like the Radiotherapy and Serotherapy, perhaps she would have been alive today; the cost of transportation, time wasted in Enugu and the accompanying stress would have been saved. While the center remains closed, more patients will be experiencing severe sufferings.
